WINNIPEG – “The Ultimate Fighter 14″ veteran Roland Delorme did enough to earn a decision win in front of a hometown crowd, but the scrappy Edwin Figueroa made him work for every minute of his win.

Delorme’s grappling was the deciding factor despite Figueroa’s stubborn refusal to be finished on the mat.

The bantamweight bout was part of today’s UFC 161 event at MTS Centre in Winnipeg. It aired on FX after additional prelims on Facebook and ahead of a pay-per-view main card.

Delorme was all over Figueroa from the opening bell while threatening with a rear-naked choke. But a frenzied first round of grappling left his gas tank running low, and Figueroa was able to mount a comeback.

In the second frame, Figueroa threatened with a triangle choke and armbar that had Delorme momentarily holding him aloft as he struggled to finish the submission hold. But the lanky Canadian escaped and fought his way back to dominant position.

Had he more time, Figueroa might have been able to finish the fight with big punches in the third frame as Delorme quickly expired. However, the final bell rang before he could seal the deal.

“That was grueling,” Delorme said. “I’m happy with the performance. I’ve worked my on my submission defense, and I needed that tonight.”

Delorme (9-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) now has won three straight (with one no-contest) since his “TUF 14″ appearance. Figueroa (9-3 MMA, 2-3 UFC) has lost back-to-back fights.

From Our Partners

The Latest

As the UFC 189 tour made its last stop in Dublin, featherweight champ Jose Aldo was met with a torrent of abuse from the Irish fans. It might have been unpleasant, but it might also have been just what he needed.